Warring Factions

Mark Corrigan (David Mitchell) is clever, introverted and socially awkward. He is also obsessed with Russian history. The kids in the neighbourhood shout Peado at him. Jez Usborne (Robert Webb) is a slacker musician with a high opinion of himself. The cool relaxed dude without much of a care in the world.

Both of them want to bed their next door neighbour Toni when she throws a party. Jez is unhappy that Mark and Toni mocked his music. Mark also has an interest in work colleague Sophie but his awkwardness gets in the way.

This is an odd couple comedy and both of them obsessed with sex and can easily get bitter with each other. Both actors look much younger here as this episode went out in 2003. It is filmed in a point of view style with narration from both the characters.

It's easy to sympathise with Mark but also to get irate with him as well. Not only is he too anal he is unable to tell some kids to get lost.

You can tell that Peep Show has the ability to go dark, neurotic and absurd. The first episode was a little uncertain as you get a handle on the characters.

I like the bit where he chased the kids with an iron bar

Brilliant start to a brilliant series. I could spend all day listing all the things I love about this episode.

We're introduced to the lives of flatmates office worker, Mark Corrigan and aspiring musician Jeremy Osborne (David Mitchell and Robert Webb, respectively)as they both via for the attention of neighbor Toni. Coming into this show knowing nothing except the rave reviews of it, I hadn't a clue what to really expect. I did enjoy this episode very British humour, very dry and cringe worthy (in a good way). The whole inner thoughts set-up will take a bit of getting used to, but I'll definitely give this show another shot and if it keeps the feel of the pilot episode, I'll not be hesitant to recommend it to others in the least bit.

My grade: B+

A unique contrast from narrations to dialogue, Peep Show really did bring something new to the table as far as sitcoms go, with dark neurotic humour alongside crude distasteful scenarios. Mark Corrigan (David Mitchell) and Jeremy Usborne (Robert Webb) seem the polar opposite at times sharing a flat, both are highly obsessed with sex. Jeremy hasn't a care in the world, confident in persona, he is a slacker wannabe musician, juxtaposed with Mark Corrigan, who is an introverted socially awkward office worker. Needless to say Mark comes across the clever of the two, reading books on Russian history and more thoughtful in approach although he seems to lack self confidence.

Both Mark and Jeremy want to get with Toni which creates conflict between them. At first Mark wants to win over the affections of Sophie and carefully constructs and plan to be on the same bus as her. When this plan seems lost he then moves his attention to Toni as Jeremy makes her out to be easy. The classic sitcom setup is that neither will get what they want, often creating their own issues and becoming their own biggest obstacle.

The chemistry between the actors is great and I'd imagine at the time David Mitchell and Robert Webb were fairly close friends in real life. Sophie is played by (Olivia Coleman) which I find very intriguing because of how far she has come since appearing in this early sitcom. The ending with the kids is brilliant, especially because of being seen in all his glory by somebody Mark regards as important to him.